Guwahati, March 23: Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, on Sunday alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in Assam is imposing political conditions on citizens seeking access to welfare schemes, calling the practice “undemocratic and coercive.”
Addressing party workers and members of the public, Gogoi criticised the administration led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming that welfare delivery in the state is increasingly being tied to political allegiance. He said such an approach reflects an attempt to control and influence people, particularly women, through government benefits.
Gogoi argued that welfare programmes existed well before the BJP came to power and were implemented without requiring beneficiaries to align with any political ideology. Referring to initiatives such as the Mamoni, Majoni and Baideo schemes, as well as provisions for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, he maintained that these were historically free of political conditions and aimed purely at public welfare.
Calling for resistance against what he described as a “politics of fear and intimidation,” the Congress leader urged people to uphold democratic values and reject any system that links public benefits with political preferences. He also invoked remarks by Zubeen Garg, stressing the need for people in Assam to live with dignity and without fear.
Further targeting the state government, Gogoi alleged that a new political culture has emerged in which citizens are expected to demonstrate loyalty to access schemes. He asserted that under a Congress-led alliance, eligibility criteria alone would determine access to welfare benefits, without any requirement for political affiliation or participation in government outreach programmes.
Expressing confidence ahead of the Assembly elections, Gogoi said the opposition alliance represents the “largest and strongest” coalition in the state’s political history and is positioned to mount a significant challenge to the BJP’s rule.
